Bipolar Disorder Treatment Light Therapy for Bipolar Disorder By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 20, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print BSIP/Universal Images Group/Getty Images Phototherapy, also known as light therapy and light box therapy, is the use of light to treat disorders. It has been classically used to treat seasonal depression and may also be effective for people with bipolar disorder. How It Works Light therapy generally involves full-spectrum bright light exposure directly onto the eyes using a light source, such as a light box or a light visor. With a light box, the patient sits in front of the light while a visor allows for more mobility. Some healthcare providers have light boxes available in their offices, but this necessitates a daily visit to the doctor. There are also companies that rent the equipment. Insurance does not always cover the expenses associated with this type of treatment. Light therapy is used to treat the depressive episodes of bipolar disorder. Therefore, it's important that a person has anti-manic coverage while undergoing light therapy. A person with bipolar disorder should not undergo light therapy without first discussing it carefully with their physician. Exposure Amounts One aspect of whether light therapy will be beneficial depends on proper dosing. The dose is determined by the intensity of the light, the distance a person is from the lightbox, and the duration of light exposure. The majority of light sources provide 10,000 lux. For seasonal affective disorder, the suggested starting dose is 10,000 lux of morning light for 30 minutes daily. For people with bipolar disorder, several different doses have been used in studies. Exposure between 5,000 and 7,000 lux for 15 to 60 minutes is one recommendation for the treatment of bipolar depression. It's interesting to note that people with rapid cycling bipolar disorder may respond better to midday light, as compared to morning or evening light. Pros and Cons of Light Therapy Pros Non-invasive Few side effects Side effects are minor Many people respond quickly Cons Daily time commitment Investment in equipment Relapse can occur after stopping treatment Side Effects Potential side effects of light therapy include eye-strain, headaches, agitation, and insomnia. Insomnia may be reduced by scheduling the sessions in the morning. Also, the potential side effects may be lessened by using a variation known as dawn simulation, in which the intensity of the light is increased slowly as if the sun were rising. In some cases, symptoms of mania appeared to be initiated by this therapy. In this case, light therapy may need to be temporarily discontinued, or the dose may need to be reduced. In very rare cases, some women reported menstrual irregularities during treatment. It's important to note that light therapy is a medical treatment. Before undertaking this type of therapy, be sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider to make sure it's right and safe for you. 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Yorguner kupeli N, Bulut N, Carkaxhiu bulut G, Kurt E, Kora K. Efficacy of bright light therapy in bipolar depression. Psychiatry Res. 2018;260:432-438. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.12.020 Geoffroy PA, Fovet T, Micoulaud-franchi J, Boudebesse C, Thomas P, Etain B, Amad A. Bright light therapy in seasonal bipolar depressions. Encephale. 2015;41(6):527-33. doi:10.1016/j.encep.2015.09.003 Nasr S, Elmaadawi A, Patel R. Bright light therapy for bipolar depression. Current psychiatry. 2018;17:28-32. Additional Reading Oren, DA, Cubells JF, & Litsch, S. Bright light therapy for the schizoaffective disorder. Amer J of Psychiatry. 2001 Dec;158(12):2086-7. Pjrek, E et al. Menstrual disturbances a rare side-effect of bright-light therapy. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2004 Jun;7(2):239-40. Sato, Toru. (1997). Seasonal affective disorder and phototherapy: A critical review. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 28, 164-169. Sit D, Wisner KL, Hanusa BH, Stull S, & Terman M. Light therapy for bipolar disorder: a case series in women. Bipolar Disord. 2007 Dec;9(8):918-27. Steiner, M. & Born, L. (2000). Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of premenstrual dysphoria. In: Managing depressive disorders by Katharine J. Palmer and Chung Kwai. Hong Kong: Adis International Publications, 139-57. By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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